Podcast Summary
Challenging the Myth of Generous Leadership: Research shows that behaviors like narcissism and lying are predictably linked to getting and keeping leadership positions. Embrace discomfort and learn power rules to grow influence and advance in your career.
Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer challenges the common notion that good leadership requires being generous, humble, and authentic. Instead, he argues that power, which can be morally neutral, is essential for advancing your career and influencing others. Despite negative associations, power is a crucial aspect of social life and business, and understanding how it works is essential. Contrary to popular leadership advice, research shows that behaviors like narcissism and lying are predictably linked to getting and keeping leadership positions. Therefore, to grow your influence and move up in your job, it's necessary to embrace the discomfort of pursuing power and learn its rules. Pfeffer's research, as outlined in his book "Power: Why Some People Have It - And Others Don't," provides surprising yet practical advice on how to effectively navigate the world of power.
Understanding power for positive change: To effectively bring about change, understand your situation and use power ethically for positive impact
Having aspirations for change and wanting to make a positive impact on the world is not only acceptable, but essential. However, to effectively bring about change, it's crucial to understand your current situation and the reasons behind it. Power, defined as the ability to get things done against opposition, is a necessary tool for making a difference. People may be uncomfortable pursuing power due to societal norms or upbringing, but it's important to remember that seeking power doesn't equate to being unethical. In fact, The Seven Rules of Power advocate for ethical practices such as getting out of your own way, networking, and building a powerful brand. Ultimately, embracing your power and using it ethically to make a positive impact is a worthwhile goal.
Excessive apologies and overemphasis on authenticity can hinder your power: Leaders should avoid excessive apologies and focus more on projecting confidence and authenticity that meets the needs of those around them
Getting in the way of your own power can happen in various ways, and two common examples are excessive apologies and an overemphasis on authenticity. Excessive apologies can undermine your confidence and make you seem uncertain or unworthy, which can impact how others perceive you. Instead, it's essential to come into situations with a sense of competence and confidence, using empowering adjectives about yourself. Regarding authenticity, while it's essential to be true to yourself, leaders need to be more focused on what those around them need rather than being overly self-referential. This means displaying confidence and certainty even when you don't feel it, and showing energy and dedication to those around you. While vulnerability can be an effective leadership style, it's important to balance it with the need to project confidence and certainty when necessary.
Making tough decisions and acting unconventionally as a leader: Effective leadership involves making unpopular decisions, focusing on results, and acting unconventionally to help people and the organization succeed.
Effective leadership requires a mindset shift towards making tough decisions and being willing to act in ways that may not be popular. Research suggests that people respond better to confident leaders who can tap into their energy and lead them to success. However, the desire to be liked can get in the way of making necessary decisions. To overcome this, focus on results and remember that your job as a leader is not to win a popularity contest but to help people and the organization succeed. This may involve making unpopular decisions, such as laying off employees or making tough strategic choices. Breaking the rules can also be a powerful tool for success, as shown by examples like Jason Calacanis dropping in on admissions offices without appointments or David's unconventional approach to defeating Goliath. In both cases, the ability to act unconventionally and make bold decisions contributed to their success.
Changing the rules to favor unique abilities: Successful individuals and organizations take initiative, changing the rules to favor their unique abilities and capabilities, rather than waiting for permission.
Successful individuals and organizations often change the rules of the game to favor their unique abilities and capabilities, rather than adhering to traditional methods or waiting for permission. This concept, known as asymmetric warfare or taking initiative, can be seen in various contexts, including business strategy and personal career advancement. An example of this is Tristan Walker, who started doing the job he wanted to be hired for at Four Square before being officially hired, leading to a successful partnership with Starbucks. This principle was also exemplified by Robert Moses in New York City, who built projects without asking for permission and faced no repercussions once the projects proved successful. Ultimately, taking initiative and making things happen can lead to great outcomes and is often easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
The Power of Appearance: How Our Words and Body Language Impact Perception: Confidently asserting oneself through words and dominant body language can convey power and influence, while contrite or apologetic attitudes can undermine authority.
Appearing powerful can significantly impact how others perceive and respond to us. Research suggests that people are drawn to those who break rules or exhibit dominant body language. Two notable examples are Lloyd Blankfein and Tony Hayward. When testifying before Congress, Blankfein, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, confidently asserted the company's role in market making without apology. In contrast, Tony Hayward, CEO of BP, appeared conciliatory and apologetic during the Gulf oil spill crisis. The former's unapologetic demeanor conveyed power and control, while the latter's contrite attitude undermined his authority. Thus, the way we present ourselves, through our words and body language, plays a crucial role in how people perceive our power and influence.
Demonstrating competence and effectiveness through body language and actions: Effective body language and accomplishing tasks quickly increase power and influence by signaling confidence and competence, attracting support and association from others.
Demonstrating competence and effectiveness through body language and getting things done are crucial in increasing one's power and influence. By following simple social cues like maintaining eye contact and standing up straight, individuals can signal confidence and competence to others. Additionally, using one's power to accomplish more and get things done is a powerful way to attract support and association from people. The more successful one appears, the more people want to be a part of it. Examples like FDR and LBJ illustrate this principle, as their ability to get things done quickly and effectively increased their power and influence. In a leadership position, it's essential to show success early on to gain support and ward off potential pretenders to the position.
Getting the right team on board for success: Focusing on building a strong team and executing goals is crucial for achieving success, as having the right people can help overcome past mistakes or wrongdoings, but it's important to remember that success can also create a false sense of entitlement and lead to feelings of frustration and resentment.
Having the right team is crucial for success in any leadership role, whether it's in business or politics. Jim Collins' concept of "getting the right people on the bus" emphasizes the importance of having a talented and skilled team to execute goals. Success can often excuse past mistakes or wrongdoings, as people are drawn to power and wealth. This phenomenon is known as the "success excuses almost everything" rule. The just world fallacy, which people's belief that the world is fair and just, can contribute to this, as successful individuals are often seen as deserving of their success. However, it's essential to remember that this can be a double-edged sword, as it can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment when we don't believe we're being adequately rewarded for our good actions. Ultimately, building a strong team and focusing on executing goals is key to achieving success.
Take control of your own actions: Focus on what you can control, become proactive, step out of comfort zone, build a personal brand, and make things happen through your actions.
Life isn't always fair, and we can't control other people's actions or behaviors. However, we can control our own actions and become more proactive and agentic. This means taking risks, stepping out of our comfort zone, and trying new things. Complaining and whining about unfair situations won't change anything, so it's better to focus on what we can control and make things happen through our own actions. Another important aspect is building a personal brand, which is a short statement that summarizes who we are and what we've done in our lives, and promoting it through social media. A great example of this is Tristan Walker, who understood the need for personal grooming products for people of color and created a successful brand around it. In summary, becoming more proactive and agentic, and building a strong personal brand, can help us acquire power and make a difference in the world.
Creating a brand that caters to underserved markets and standing out from the crowd: To succeed, create a unique brand that aligns with your experiences and expertise, cater to underserved markets, and stand out from the competition. Build relationships, expand your network, and effectively communicate your value to others.
Creating a brand that aligns with your unique experiences and expertise is essential for success. Tristan Walker, the founder of Walker & Company Brands, did just that by catering to the underserved market of people of color in the grooming industry. Being appropriately controversial and standing out from the crowd is also crucial for gaining attention and recognition. Moreover, networking and building relationships with influential people can significantly increase your power and ability to get things done. Additionally, focusing on weak links and expanding your social circle beyond your close circle can lead to new opportunities and growth. Ultimately, being comfortable promoting yourself and your accomplishments, and effectively communicating your value to others, is key to advancing in your personal and professional life.
Expanding social circles for growth: Networking and building relationships with diverse individuals enhances creativity, knowledge, and opportunities.
Diversifying your social network can lead to greater creativity, knowledge, and opportunities. While spending time with close friends and family is important, it's also beneficial to connect with people who are different from you and bring new ideas and perspectives to the table. Jeffrey Pfeffer, author of "Seven Rules of Power," suggests setting aside time each week for networking and building relationships, just as you would for other important activities like exercise or work. However, ultimately, the decision to prioritize networking and power-building comes down to personal motivation and goals. For more information, visit Jeffrey Pfeffer's website or listen to his podcast, "Pfeffer on Power."
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